New Music Volume 4 features tracks from New Street Adventure, The Meltdown, Brass Knuckle Brass Band, Leon Bridges and Sharon Jones. As well as the much anticipated return of The Rebirth and Alabama Shakes.

About New Music

‘New Music’ is a series of mixes, featuring the best new music from around the globe. In these mixes you can expect to hear an eclectic mix of funk, soul, jazz and much more.

The Meltdown are an 8-piece outfit recently signed to Hope Street Recordings. The band has an inimtable style bringing together Memphis-Soul, Gospel and Blues with a touch of Ray Charles.

The Meltdown are led by singer Simon Burke. Chances are that you haven’t heard Simon’s voice before. That’s because for the last few years he has been flying small planes out of small airfields in the dusty backcountry, while taking refuge from the music business to raise a young family. The time off has been more than fruitful as can be heard on ‘Better Days’.

The ‘Big A.C’. by British soul outfit New Street Adventure is taken from their debut album No Hard Feelings. Influenced by northern soul, the band produce a modern take on classic soul.

The ‘Big A.C.’ is about the first Northern Soul allnighter lead singer Nick Corbin went to at the 100 Club in London. This track has a catchy feel good vibe all the way through. I defy you to not have a smile on your face as you listen.

‘Better Man’ is the B side to Texan soul singer Leon Bridges single Coming Home. Taken from his debut album of the same name. Bridges’ effortless vocals evoke the sound of the soul music greats. He has been been compared to Sam Cooke. Lofty praise indeed!

Record Label: Columbia // Release Date: 03 February 2015

4. Alabama Shakes – Don’t Wanna Fight

It’s been three years since the excellent Alabama Shakes released their debut album and their follow up Sound and Color has been well worth the wait. ‘Don’t Wanna Fight’ is the first single to be released from the new album and it’s clear the Shakes have been getting down to some funk. Lead singer and guitarist Brittany Howard said that they were influenced by The Superfly soundtrack and Gil Scott-Heron’s music while writing and recording.

‘Don’t Wanna Fight’ is raw bluesy funk, that demands your attention.

Record Label: Rough Trade // Release Date: 20 April 2015

5. The Rebirth – This Is Coming To?

After several years a way, The Rebirth return with new single ‘This is Coming To?’. Taken from their latest album ‘Being Thru The Eyes of a Child’, an album of forward thinking classic soul.

‘This is Coming To’ is a jazz-funk masterpiece with an uplifting groove that sticks in your head for days.

Released for Record Store Day 2015, ‘Little Boys With Shiny Toys’ is the latest release from Sharon Jones and The Dap-kings. Fans of the band will know what to expect from a classic SJDK record and this one doesn’t fail to deliver. Those classic Sharon Jones vocals, The Daptone Horns and of course the wonderful Saun and Starr on backing vocals.

‘Hanging On’ is taken from fourth LP by San Fransisco based The Monophonics. The six-piece outfit produce a style of music that’s often referred to as psychedelic soul, a marriage of psychedlic sounds with soul, funk and RnB.

Record Label: Transistor Sound Records // Release Date: 14 April 2015

8. Tim Rogers & The Bamboos – Easy

Melbourne Soul/Funk outfit The Bamboos have teamed up with Tim Rogers again. This time for a full length album ‘The Rules of Attraction’. Previously the ‘You Am I’ frontman teamed up with The Bamboos on ‘I Got Burned’. Which featured on The Bamboos LP ‘The Medicine Man’, released in 2012.

Once again the collaboration just seems to work. Rogers brings his rock star swagger to The Bamboos polished Soul/Pop sound.

Record Label: Atlantic // Release Date: 22 May 2015

9. Bambus City Strut – Life Timer

Bambus City Strut are fronted by the powerhouse vocals of lead singer Sasha Patterson. Setup in 2009 the band are heavily influenced by Funk, Soul, Jazz, Reggae and Rare Groove. They’ve been doing the rounds in the UK live scene having played at some of London’s premier venues including The Jazz Cafe, Charlie Wrights International and The Hootananny to name a few. On this yet to be released track we get a healthy dose of funk. Follow Bambus City Strut on Twitter.

Record Label: Unreleased // Release Date: TBC

10. The Monades ft Rayna- Shake Me

Renegades of Jazz and Herma Puma deliver a perfect combination of funk, breaks and jazz in their new project The Monades. Their debut single ‘Shake Me’ features Rayna on vocals, and what a voice! We are big fans of Renegades of Jazz here at Music for Modern Living and this new project doesn’t disappoint.

Originally influenced by the Deep Funk scene, The Mighty Mocambos deliver their own very individual brand of funk with blazing horns, soulful guitars, driving drums and basslines.

In this surprising cover version of the Rolling Stones’ 1976 single ‘Hot Stuff’ the Mighty Mocambos demonstrate why they are one of the best funk bands around today. The Rolling Stones original barely flirts with the initial disco-funk inspiration. But this rework outfunks it in true Mocambo style!

Record Label: Favorite Recordings // Release Date: 24 October 2014

12. The Brass Knuckle Brass Band – Happiness Is

The Brass Knuckle Brass Band are a New Orleans Style street band. Their debut album ‘Split Lip’, features instrumental funk, new orleans brass and collaborations with Sarsha Simone (formerly Roxy Ray of Dojo Cuts), Kira Puru, James Grim (Brothers Grim and the Blue Murders) and hip-hop artist Citizen Kay.

Record Label: // Release Date: 27 March 2015

13. Randy Roberts & The Capital Strokes – Oh Yeah

Twelve-piece Italian Funk outfit Randy Roberts and The Capital Strokes are a force to be reckoned with. Blending funk, soul, jazz and R&B they have been delighting European audiences for the past few years. ‘Oh Yeah’ kicks off with a horn intro that immediately informs you that you’re in for a treat, then Randy’s smooth vocals kick in and those sweet backing vocals. This song will be ringing in your head for days to come.